Boise cops get federal grant money for bulletproof vests

The $1,337.72 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, plus the same amount the city puts up in matching money, will almost cover the cost of four new bulletproof vests for officers, Boise Police spokeswoman Lynn Hightower said.

Every year, Hightower said, the city replaces about 50 of 300 or more vests, which last about five years before degrading to the point where they stop providing reliable protection.

Vests are required for all Boise officers, she said.

Over the past couple of years, the amount of grant money Boise has received through the Justice Department’s Bulletproof Vest Partnership has declined sharply, Hightower said. She wasn’t sure how much the police department has traditionally received.

You can find more information on the partnership here: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bvpbasi/.